6 Jun 2016

Last month, FC Koln star Jonas Hector confirmed that he'd definitely 'think about' a move to Liverpool this summer, but based on the latest comments from the Koln's President, there's little chance of a move to Anfield for the 'excellent' defender.

On Saturday, This Is Anfield claimed that the Reds had 'agreed a fee' to sign Hector, but hours later, Schalke Chief Jörg Schmadtke emphatically discredited TIA's sourceless, barely credible report:

"There is no offer from Liverpool. The rumoured fee [€15m] speaks for itself, so it can't be a legitimate thing. If someone comes up with double [€30m], I might answer the phone".

The Hector story was obviously false, which is why I didn't cover it on the site.

TIA is just the latest in a long line of fan sites that claim to have inside info about transfers, and it's great that Schmadtke has publicly dismissed this fake story.

On the subject of fake stories: 'Football Insider' is the worst culprit, and constantly churns out cynical, fabricated transfer rumours based on alleged insider 'sources'. But I digress...

Liverpool are crying out for a new left-back, but €30m for Hector? No chance. I'd rather see the Reds keep Moreno and/or promote Brad Smith to first-choice.

It's probably all moot anyway. If Hector plays well at Euro 2016, he'll inevitably be targeted by other top clubs, and those with Champions League football will be a more attractive proposition that Liverpool.